Article

Expelling Demons by the use of a fish and bird

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Abstract

This article publishes for the first time a short Sumerian spell dating to the Old Babylonian period. The spell is a verbal utterance that uses a fish and bird as vehicles to carry away evil caused by demons and witchcraft. The text has no known parallels, but belongs to the wider realm of incantations. Such incantations were designed to accompany rituals that transfered bad signs onto animals and then released these animals into the wilderness, thus removing evil from the afflicted person.

How to Cite:

Wagensonner, K., (2020) “Expelling Demons by the use of a fish and bird”, Akkadica 141(2), 115–125.

Rights: © The author